Reny's Maine Adventures: Summer 2024

MAINE ADVENTURES

UGHT TO YO

4 Renys: The Ultimate Maine Treasure Hunt

Now celebrating 75 years, this family-owned department store chain is beloved by generations for its quality, value, and one-of-a-kind retail adventures.

6 Renys Passport Program

Planning the perfect road trip: stop, shop, and win.

7 Bangor Adventure

Where urban excitement meets the rugged outdoors.

10 Maine Beaches Adventure

Plan a breezy ocean escape to the southern coast.

13 Portland Adventure

Discover endless ways to play in this city by the sea.

16 Sebago Lakes Adventure

Make a splash in the gateway to Maine’s Lakes & Mountains.

19 Camden Adventure

Explore coastal Maine’s splendor, by land and by sea.

22 Acadia Adventure

Create lasting memories in and around a premier national park.

MAINE ADVENTURES was produced by Yankee Publishing Inc. for Renys: A Maine Adventure. Copyright 2023, 2024 by Yankee Publishing Inc.; all rights reserved.

Photo credits: Cover, Cait Bourgault; p.2, traveler1116/iStock.com; p.5, all courtesy of Renys; p.7, EWY Media/Shutterstock; p.8 (top), Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division; p.8 (bottom), courtesy of Mason’s Brewing Company; p.9 (top), Denis Tangney Jr./iStock.com; p.9 (bottom), courtesy of Maine Forest and Logging Museum; p.10, Oleg Albinsky/iStock.com; p.11, Adam DeTour; p.12 (top), Sam Chad/iStock.com; p.12 (bottom), Jerry Monkman/EcoPhotography; p.13, Justin Smulski; p.14, Visit Maine; p.15 (top), courtesy of Allagash Brewing Co.; p.15 (bottom), courtesy of Portland Museum of Art; p.16, Raymond Forbes LLC/Stocksy; p.17, Scott Linscott/courtesy of Pineland Farms; p.18 (top), JLC Photo Images/Shutterstock; p.18 (lower left), Jamie Ribisi-Braley/United Society of Shakers; p.18 (lower right), courtesy of Maine Wildlife Park; p.19, Michael Hanson/Cavan Images; p.20, courtesy of Farnsworth Art Museum; p.21 (top), Carl Tremblay; p.21 (bottom), traveler1116/iStock.com; p.22, Visit Maine; p.23, courtesy of Under Canvas; p.24 (top), courtesy of Karen Francoeur/Castine Kayak Adventures; p.24 (bottom), courtesy of Abbe Museum

PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT, CAPE ELIZABETH

SELLING POINTS

Wells

RENYS: THE ULTIMATE

Now celebrating 75 years, this family-owned department store chain is beloved by generations of shoppers for its quality, value, and one-of-a-kind retail adventures.

BY VIRGINIA M. WRIGHT

Forget the Caribbean. Never mind a cruise. In 2018, Phil and Dolly Curtis spent their honeymoon doing the Maine shopping equivalent of peak bagging: They visited all the Renys locations—which then totaled 17 stores—on a zigzagging jaunt of several hundred miles. Dolly, 71, proposed the journey after seeing her 80-year-old fiancé’s disappointment upon learning that their wedding would conflict with Renys’ November Early-Bird Sale, when shoppers flood the stores in the wee hours for rock-bottom deals. “He’s silly enough to say yes,” Dolly told CBS Sunday Morning’s Nancy Giles, who interviewed the Old Orchard Beach couple about their offbeat wedding trip. “So off we went.”

The occasion that prompted the Curtises’ feat was exceptional, but their mission was not. Every year brings a new batch of “Renys baggers,” some of whom tick off each milestone with a dash of hoopla, like the four friends who arrived at the Topsham store wearing bright orange tees reading “Tour de Renys,” and the woman who chronicled her travels on a “Renys Run” Facebook page.

Renys touring is but one way Mainers shower love on their favorite store. In 2003, Newcastle resident Art Mayers penned Renys: The Musical; it’s now a community theater staple. Renys’ marketing team, meanwhile, fields a steady stream of homemade videos featuring people singing the store jingle—“Renys! A Maine adventure!”—for television spots. One family even synchronized their Christmas lights to the tune.

“We’re homegrown,” says Renys president John Reny. “We live here, and we know what Maine people need.”

Charlie trekking poles, and an assortment of Renysbranded goods, like lobster picks, portable lawn chairs, and canvas tote bags embroidered with Renys’ “Maine Adventure” logo, showing a road curving into a spruce forest. He means the largest variety of Bob’s Red Mill grains, flours, and cereals of any store in Maine and—especially coveted by Renys shoppers—Sweetzels Ginger Snaps and Stretch-Tite plastic wrap. Plus, Renys’ shelves brim with Maine-made edibles: Raye’s Mustard from Eastport, WaldoStone Farm Bloody Oyster Cocktail Mix from Bristol, and Maya’s Apiary Blueberry Honey from Sidney, to name a few.

Then there are the prices. “The big stores mark up their merchandise and then take 40 percent off and call it a sale,” Reny says. “Even then, we’re selling it cheaper. When we get a good deal on a product, we pass it on to our customers. People love us because they know we don’t fool around.”

How to explain such enthusiasm for, of all things, a discount department store?

“We’re homegrown,” says Renys president John Reny, who’s been working at the business founded in 1949 by his father, Robert H. Reny, since he was 5. “We live here, and we know what Maine people need.”

He’s talking about things like Carhartt overalls and Pendleton flannel shirts, Keens hiking shoes and Yukon

That’s the philosophy established 75 years ago when a young Robert Reny quit his job as store clerk for a Damariscotta department store because his boss, who also happened to be his landlord, granted him a raise—then jacked up his rent by the same amount. R.H., as everyone knew him, opened a dry-goods store in the vacant A&P across the street and committed to treating his customers, employees, and vendors fairly. That first year, his store enjoyed a robust fall trade. When sales flagged after Christmas, R.H. loaded merchandise into his Hudson motorcar and drove down the Bristol peninsula, calling on fishing families rendered homebound by snow-rutted roads. When spring arrived, those families returned their amiable and gregarious visitor’s favor by shopping at his store.

R.H.’s tireless search for good deals extended to real estate as he grew a chain of stores. He never built new, but instead favored vacant buildings—a practice that breathed life into faded downtowns and deserted strip

MAINE TREASURE HUNT

top: Renys founder Robert H. Reny, who grew a single department store in Damariscotta into a chain of 18 locations that span from Wells to Dexter.

middle: A view of the Damariscotta store in its opening year, 1949.

bottom: From right to left, Renys president John Reny with thirdgeneration company leaders Faustine Reny and Adam Reny.

malls and endeared Renys to revitalization organizations like the Maine Development Foundation, which awarded the business its Main Street Hero award in 2009. By then, R.H. had opened 14 stores, and he was well known and beloved statewide. When he died that year at age 83, the Maine Merchants Association eulogized him as “the heart and soul” of Maine retailing.

Ranging in size from roughly 2,000 square feet all the way up to 35,000 square feet (that would be Bridgton), each Renys location is unique. Madison’s Renys was built as an opera house, Bath’s was a hotel, Bridgton’s was a post office. Gardiner’s Renys occupies three late-19thcentury Romanesque Revival storefronts, one of which has an intact Rebekah Lodge on its third floor. The Farmington Renys’ stage and balcony recall its past as a silent-movie theater. And Damariscotta has two Renys: the original and, across the street, Renys Underground, a former bowling alley (it even has a soda fountain!).

John Reny, who took the helm in 2007, and his younger brother, Bob, now retired, have followed R.H’s example, adroitly negotiating off-price deals without scorching relationships with their vendors. They’ve further distinguished Renys among discount department stores by upgrading its clothing mix with brands such as Carhartt and Columbia. They’ve also stepped up the pursuit of closeouts and overruns, which account for the ever-changing, one-timeonly offerings that delight Renys shoppers (recent examples include Martha Stewart mango-wood charcuterie boards and cartons of borlotti beans from Italy).

Meanwhile, they’ve mentored the next generation to manage the family enterprise. John’s daughter, Faustine, and Bob’s son, Adam, are part of an executive team overseeing a Maine institution with 500-plus employees. “We’re not just a retail store,” Adam remarked on Renys’ 70th anniversary in 2019. “As my grandfather said, we’re a customer-service company that happens to sell great stuff. We continue to practice the values that he had on day one.”

In Renys: The Musical, a character modeled after R.H. is lionized for his perseverance in the era of generic big-box stores. After he’s mobbed by adoring shoppers, the entire cast assembles for the first big number. “There are vitamins and cookies and cans of lobster stew, telephones and toasters and pillow cases too!” they sing. “You can get a chair there, try a dress there, see a friend there—all at Renys!”

RENYS PASSPORT PROGRAM

Your Adventure Starts Here!

Travel and shop your way through each of Renys’ Maine stores and get a stamp that gets you closer to your prizes.

GET 9 STAMPS: Win a $10 Renys gift card and your favorite Renys candy bar

GET 18 STAMPS: Win a Grand Prize

• A unique tour of Renys office/warehouse and meet a Reny family member

• A place on the Renys Hall of Fame Board

• A surprise goody bag

How It Works:

1. Pick up your free passport at any Renys store.

2. Shop all 18 Renys stores.

3. Collect a stamp from an employee.

4. Return your stamped passport once complete to: RENYS HQ, 731 ROUTE 1, NEWCASTLE, ME 04553 with your name, phone number, and email to schedule your time to redeem the Grand Prize.

BANGOR ADVENTURE

Where urban excitement meets the rugged outdoors.

he giant Paul Bunyan statue presiding over Bangor’s Main Street is both a nod to the city’s historic lumber industry and a symbol of its enduring connection to the great outdoors. Besides serving as a gateway to the North Woods, Bangor hosts 15 leafy parks, a 680-acre city forest, and boat access to the Penobscot River. Just outside town, scores of trails await hikers and bikers, and Pushaw Lake draws paddlers and anglers. No wonder this community is so laid-back and vibrant—and with the University of Maine campus just 10 miles north, it’s youthful, too. Nearly a third of residents are 20 to 40 years old, and they’re a big reason for the unpretentious cool of their city, whose downtown hums with eclectic boutiques and terrific brew pubs and restaurants.

A fixture of Bangor’s downtown since 1959, the Paul Bunyan statue is a favorite (and, at 31 feet tall, hard-to-miss) local landmark.

MEET THE RENYS TEAM: BANGOR

Name: Nick Tripp

Title: Regional manager

Store location: Bangor

Employed at Renys since: 2000

What’s your favorite part about working in Bangor?

“The customer reaction to us being in Bangor. As someone from the area, I know how long people have been waiting to have a Renys here. It’s awesome to see the genuine excitement and happiness from those customers.”

What is one thing you’d recommend to someone visiting Bangor for the first time? “The Orono Bog Walk. It’s in the Bangor City Forest, only about five minutes from the store, and is full of unique plants and wildlife. Afterward, grab lunch at one of the many fantastic places to eat, like Utopia—a delicious place downtown that offers a wide variety of Mediterranean cuisine.”

What products at your store go great with Maine adventures?

“Any adventure needs snacks, and Little Lad’s popcorn, Bixby chocolate, Maine Needhams, and Fox Family chips are some of my favorites. Great brands like Brooks sneakers, Oboz hikers, and Columbia sportwear are also perfect for any Maine adventure.”

Where do you personally like to go for a Maine adventure?

“Baxter State Park. I try to hike Mount Katahdin at least once a year—Baxter Peak is my favorite place in Maine. Baxter State Park also has lots more trails, rivers, and lakes to enjoy. It’s just as beautiful as Acadia, but quieter and more relaxing.”

Renys, 46 Springer Dr., Bangor; 207-203-9078. Visit renys.com for summer store hours.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Antiques Shopping

Greater Bangor is home to several standout antiques shops, including two biggies: downtown’s Antique Marketplace, with more than 50 dealers, and the rambling Central Maine Antique Mall, located near the airport and hosting 60-plus dealers. antiquemarketplacecafe. com; centralmaineantiquemall.net

“Head of Tide” Kayak Tour, Bangor

Explore the longest river within the state of Maine on this guided tour from Bullfrog Adventures. Traversing the Penobscot from Eddington to Bangor, the trip can be timed to coincide with high tide (plenty of gentle, flat water) or low tide (quick water with intermediate rapids). Either way, it ends in Bangor near the Sea Dog Brewing Co., where tasty pub food and microbrews await. bullfrogadventures.com

Hudson Museum, Orono

Located on the UMaine campus, the Hudson displays a marvelous collection of ethnographic and archaeological objects from around the world, with a particular emphasis on the 19th-century crafts of Maine’s Wabanaki tribes. December brings the Wabanaki Winter Market, which

features contemporary basketry, beadwork, and wood carvings in New England’s largest holiday gathering of Wabanaki artists. umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum

Maine Discovery Museum, Bangor Kids can guide boats down a model of the Penobscot River, dig up fossils, and perform “cat” scans in a pint-size vet clinic at Maine’s largest children’s museum. The focus is learning through play, with exhibits that begin in the Maine woods, then span the world and soar into space. mainediscoverymuseum.org

Maine Forest and Logging Museum, Bradley

The reconstructed late-1700s

Bats decorate the gate of a mansion owned by longtime Bangor resident Stephen King.

Mason’s Brewing Company in Brewer serves up drinks and dining with scenic Penobscot River views.

milling settlement of Leonard’s Mills sits alongside burbling Blackman Stream within a UMaine experimental forest. The museum hosts demonstrations of blacksmithing, bean-hole bean baking, pack-basket making, and other heritage activities throughout the summer, but the grounds—with their nature trails, water-powered mill, and covered bridge—make for a bucolic (and free) outing year-round. maineforestandloggingmuseum.org

Mason’s Brewing Company, Brewer

With a covered patio overlooking the Penobscot, Mason’s could get by on atmosphere alone, but its crew turns out brews and food worthy of the location. Choose from more than two dozen terrific craft brews and a menu filled with tempting offerings such as the Truffle Pig, a white-sauce pizza topped with candied bacon, wild mushrooms, and sauteed spinach, all drizzled in black truffle oil. masonsbrewingcompany.com

Orono Bog Boardwalk, Bangor

This one-mile boardwalk provides rare access to the otherworldly

course of about three hours, SK Tours owners Jamie Tinker and Jennifer Millar will take you by tour van to the creepiest spots, including the storm drain from the novel It where 6-yearold Georgie meets Pennywise, the razor-toothed clown. sk-tours.com

Timber Kitchen & Bar, Bangor

With its rough-wood walls, redflannel upholstery, and chef’s table overlooking a wood-burning oven, Timber puts a sophisticated spin on Bangor’s lumber heritage. Offerings include smoked-seafood chowder, wild-mushroom pizza, and the Woodsman Surf and Turf: butterbasted lobster tail, hardwood-fired beef tenderloin, and wild asparagus. The Paul Bunyan statue at the adjacent Cross Insurance Center awaits your after-dinner selfie. timberkitchenandbar.com

beauty of peatland, a highly acidic type of wetland that harbors unusual flora like tussock cottongrass, hot-pink-flowering rhodoras, and carnivorous purple pitcher plants and sundews. cityforest.bangorinfo.com/ boardwalk.htm

SK Tours of Maine, Bangor

Bangor is the inspiration for the fictional town of Derry, the setting for several novels and short stories by best-selling author and longtime resident Stephen King Over the

top: Bangor’s lights are reflected in the Kenduskeag Stream, a tributary of the Penobscot. The city’s waterways were key to its 19th-century status as the world’s largest lumbershipping port.

left: A restored steam log hauler built back in 1907 draws visitors in for a closer look at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley.

Waterfront Concerts at Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor

Launched on the banks of the Penobscot River in 2010, this concert series has made Bangor into northern New England’s livemusic capital. Every summer the lineup of top-tier rock, pop, and country talent—Michael Franti, Lainey Wilson, and Smashing Pumpkins, to name a few—sells out Maine Savings Amphitheater, the largest performance venue north of Boston. waterfrontconcerts.com

MAINE BEACHES ADVENTURE

Plan a breezy ocean escape to the southern coast.

aine has about 3,500 miles of coastline—the longest of any state on the East Coast—and while its dramatic craggy rockbound shores may be famous, in the southern part of the state it’s all about the beaches. Sitting in the middle of a string of coastal communities that boast some of the loveliest beaches in New England, the town of Wells is a great jumping-off point for exploring this region of sun, sand, and surf. Yet frolicking by the ocean is just one of the endless ways to fill a day in this part of Maine, making it a place where funseekers of all kinds will want to dive right in.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Cape Neddick Light, York

When Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 blasted off in 1977 for Jupiter and beyond, they carried images (for the benefit of curious aliens) showing Earth’s wonders: the Great Wall and the Taj Mahal, yes, but also this lighthouse, one of the most photographed in the world. Nicknamed Nubble Light after the tiny isle on which it stands, the cast-iron tower has shone its red beacon to mariners since 1879. facebook.com/capeneddick

Coastal Maine Kayak and Bike, Kennebunk

If you’ve got the urge to explore, they’ve got the gear. Landlubbers can rent bikes or e-bikes, while kayaks and paddleboards are offered for half-day, full-day, and multi-day rentals. You also can hit the water with a local guide on a kayak tour of the Kennebunk River, or take a guided bike tour that includes views of Walker’s Point, the Bush family compound. coastalmainekayak.com

First Chance Whale Watch, Kennebunk

Catching a glimpse of some of the world’s largest and most majestic animals is a dream that First Chance can make a reality, thanks to its 4¾hour narrated cruises to the summer feeding grounds of humpbacks,

MEET THE RENYS TEAM: WELLS

Name: Joanne Karnila

Title: Assistant manager

Store location: Wells

Employed at Renys since: 2020

What’s your favorite part about working in Wells? “There’s just so much to see and do in this area: the ocean, browsing for something interesting in antiques stores on Route 1, taking in a play at the Ogunquit Playhouse.... I love meeting people and finding out what they are up to while visiting Maine. It’s also a great way for me to find out what is new and exciting in our area.”

What is one thing you’d recommend to someone visiting Wells for the first time?

“Go to Mike’s Clam Shack in the summer and sit outside under the tent. The waitstaff are always attentive and friendly, and the food is phenomenal. My personal favorite is to order a dozen (or two) steamers—with extra butter, of course.”

What products at your store go great with Maine adventures?

“My personal adventure takes place outside, in my yard. I enjoy gardening, planting flowers, growing tomatoes, and trying to find the perfect garden gnome. Renys has all the supplies I need to satisfy my green thumb and make my garden beautiful.”

Where else do you like to go for a Maine adventure? “My fiancé, who also works for Renys, and I enjoy hiking in Aroostook State Park and on Presque Isle. We also enjoy staying home and cooking steaks on our firepit with friends and family. I love the simple things life has to offer in Maine.”

Renys, 107 Wells Plaza, Wells; 207-646-1566. Visit renys.com for summer store hours.

Wide and smooth, Ogunquit Beach calls to ocean lovers on a summer day.

right: Old-fashioned saltwater taffy from The Goldenrod, a York Beach landmark.

The Goldenrod, York Beach

Walking or driving around York Beach, you’re sure to spot The Goldenrod. Just look for the kids mesmerized on the sidewalk, staring through windows at the way the taffy machines twist and pull and slice and wrap millions of pieces of saltwater taffy. More than 50 tons of saltwater taffy are produced annually in the front room of this strikingly oldfashioned restaurant, whose roots go back to 1896. thegoldenrod.com

The

Maine Diner, Wells

More than eight million customers have enjoyed the fine cooking at this famous southern Maine eatery since it first opened its doors in 1983. The seafood chowder is nationally renowned, and the fried clams, crab cakes, and baked stuffed haddock further elevate the diner’s reputation for great fresh seafood. mainediner.com

Marginal Way, Ogunquit

More than two dozen memorial benches along the way make it easy to rest and enjoy the stunning ocean views on this 1¼-mile-long paved footpath that leads from Ogunquit’s main beach up the rugged cliffs to the shops and seafood restaurants in Perkins Cove. marginalwayfund.org

Mount

Agamenticus, York

Most visitors to the southern coast head straight for the beaches, and rightly so. But a detour to Mount Agamenticus, just a stone’s throw from the sandy stretches of Ogunquit and Wells, will reward you with one of the best “bang for your buck” hikes in the Pine Tree State. It’s ideal for families, offering a wide path and benches to rest, and there’s a ”learning lodge” at the top that’s open on most summer weekends. agamenticus.org

Ogunquit Beach, Ogunquit

Dubbed “The Beach That Has It All” by Yankee magazine, Ogunquit Beach has more than three miles of gleaming white sand, ensuring plenty of room for visitors to spread out. Popular with sunbathers, surfers, and kite flyers, Ogunquit Beach is also terrific for families: Just steps away from the main beach there’s a slender, sheltered beach on a tidal river where the water is calm and the sand is dotted with little pools— perfect for sand-castle builders. ogunquit.org/our-beaches

Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Ogunquit

Outside, landscaped grounds accented with sculptures and

gardens surround the cliff-hugging museum. Inside, find highlights from a permanent collection of more than 3,000 pieces, including works by Marsden Hartley, Rockwell Kent, and Peggy Bacon, among others. ogunquitmuseum.org

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Wells

Stretching along 50 miles of the southern Maine coast, the refuge is filled with flora and fauna unique to this seaside habitat and lures kayakers, hikers, and other lovers of the outdoors. The mile-long universal-access Carson Trail loops through the property, passing tidal creeks and salt marshes, and providing excellent vistas for bird-watching. fws.gov/refuge/ rachel-carson

Seashore Trolley Museum, Kennebunkport

Considered the world’s premier electric railway museum, this 1939 landmark boasts a collection of 250-plus mass-transit vehicles, most of them trolleys, from across the U.S. and beyond. You can even hop aboard a 1900s trolley for a ride on the museum’s heritage railroad. trolleymuseum.org

Whale-watching is just one of the many lures of a getaway to Maine’s southern coast.

For a break from the beach scene, bring your hiking boots for a trip up Mount Agamenticus.

PORTLAND ADVENTURE

Discover endless ways to play in this city by the sea.

here may not be a city in New England that merges the old with the new better than Portland does. Sophisticated and walkable, this coastal community hasn’t forgotten its roots: Its waterfront is still a working one. But its five-block Old Port district has been creatively reimagined as a tourist hot spot, with a wide selection of galleries, shops, cafés, and restaurants (including a number with national acclaim). Elsewhere, there are parks and museums to discover, lighthouses to photograph, local beers to sample, and an entire gorgeous Casco Bay to paddle. Whatever strikes your fancy, Maine’s biggest city has you covered—and then some.

Filled with shops and restaurants, the historic Old Port district is a great place to begin exploring Portland.

MEET THE RENYS TEAM: PORTLAND

Name:

Scott Witt

Title: Store manager

Store location: Portland

Employed at Renys since: 2011

What’s your favorite part about working in Portland? “I enjoy the multitude of restaurants that we have near our store, as there’s a large variety of cuisines to choose from within walking distance.”

What is one thing you’d recommend to someone visiting Portland for the first time?

“With Portland being a very art-centric town, I’d recommend checking out some of our art galleries—such as SPACE, which has constantly revolving exhibits and is a musical venue, too.”

What products at your store go great with Maine adventures?

“Intex rafts and floats make for a great adventure with our local rivers that bring a nice mixture of excitement and relaxation. Don’t forget to stay hydrated during your venture downstream with our selection of water bottles or Polar seltzers.”

Where do you personally like to go for a Maine adventure?

“Spring and fall in my opinion are the best times to go hiking, as the weather isn’t too hot. I enjoy the trails at Camden Hills State Park, which range from light walking trails to climbing Mount Battie.”

Renys, 540 Congress St., Portland; 207-553-9061. Visit renys.com for summer store hours.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Allagash Brewing Company

Belgian-inspired beers are on the menu at Allagash, launched in 1995 by owner Rob Tod using juryrigged dairy equipment inherited from Vermont ice cream legends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. Allagash helped pave the way for Maine’s now-thriving craft beer scene, and it still offers some of the state’s finest pours and tours. allagash.com

Casco Bay Mailboat Run

Pack your cooler, and park your worries on land. For the next 2½ to 3½ hours you can be a carefree “stowaway” on one of Casco Bay Lines’ daily voyages to deliver mail and residents to five major islands. In the summer (or whenever there’s an ample crowd of passengers), you’ll get a narrated tour as you pass lighthouses, watch lobstermen haul traps, and edge up to islands where communities seem from another century. cascobaylines.com

Eventide Oyster Co.

This restaurant’s intelligent, imaginative, and tasty interpretations of classic New England seafood

have earned it a national reputation. The showstopper is the oldfashioned raw bar, packed with pristine oysters on the half shell (many pulled from Maine waters) and presented on a massive slab of Maine granite; however, be sure to leave room for Eventide’s famous brown butter lobster roll, served on a house-made steamed bun. eventideoysterco.com

Lucky Catch Cruises

Experience what it’s like to be a Maine fisherman aboard one of the Lucky Catch tours in Casco Bay. Don a rubber apron and gloves, bait and haul traps, and learn how to tell males from females and keepers from throwbacks. Purchase “bugs” off the boat, and Portland Lobster Company will steam them when you return to the pier. luckycatch.com

Maine Island Kayak Co.

If you’d love to get out in a true sea kayak in gentle surf and find soft landing spots on rocky shores, these half- and full-day tours should be right up your alley. Paddlers of varying experience levels are welcome to join Maine Island Kayak Co.’s guided expeditions, which begin at Kayak Beach near

Get up close and personal with real lobsters on a Lucky Catch Cruises tour.

the Peaks Island ferry terminal. Two-hour sunset tours reveal a glowing city skyline that’s hard to see from any other vantage point. maineislandkayak.com

Portland by the Foot, Portland

Historian Dugan Murphy makes poking around Portland quirkygood fun. A natural performer, he brings the past to life on twohour “hidden histories” and Black history tours weaving through the Old Port, Waterfront, and East End neighborhoods. You’ll cover about 1½ miles and learn about Maine’s indigenous Wabanaki, European settlers, women of note,

and the city’s unsung heroes. portlandbythefoot.com

Portland Head Light

Just four miles from downtown Portland, Maine’s oldest lighthouse (it was commissioned by George Washington!) still guards the harbor. At Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, you can visit the museum in the former keeper’s residence and stroll around or enjoy a picnic in the park. portlandheadlight.com

Portland Museum of Art

The largest and oldest public art institution in Maine, the Portland Museum of Art offers highlights

from four centuries of art in its trio of downtown buildings. There’s a top-flight collection of paintings by American realist and impressionist masters (Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent, to name two); a treasure trove of fine and decorative arts; and the largest holding of European art north of Boston. portlandmuseum.org

Two Fat Cats Bakery

The iconic pies of the Pine Tree State— blueberry and whoopie—couldn’t be more different. Maine blueberry pie celebrates the tart juiciness of wild blueberries as it bubbles through the slits of a flaky crust. At the other end of the wholesomeness spectrum, the whoopie pie is made of two rounded cocoa sponges separated by a sugary “creme” that soothes your inner child by satisfying even the most extreme sweet tooth. Two Fat Cats does them both to perfection. twofatcatsbakery.com

Victoria Mansion

Considered the most magnificently ornamented dwelling of its period remaining in the country, the mid19th-century Victoria Mansion retains about 90 percent of designer Gustave Herter’s original furnishings. Jaw-droppers include a 6-by-25foot stained-glass skylight, a mindboggling trompe l’oeil wall and ceiling flourishes, and the dizzying colors and patterns of the Turkish Smoking Room. victoriamansion.org

Culture fans can spend happy hours browsing selections from the Portland Museum of Art’s collection of nearly 20,000 objects and artworks.

Get a taste for Maine beer at Allagash Brewing Company.

SEBAGO LAKES ADVENTURE

Make a splash in the gateway to Maine’s Lakes & Mountains.

hough the town of Windham is located a mere half hour from the coast and Maine’s biggest city, most visitors to this historic burg have their eyes set on a treasure farther inland: namely, the Sebago Lakes region, crowned by Maine’s second-largest lake. With its deep and sparklingclear waters, surrounded by tranquil forests and inviting small towns, Sebago Lake has drawn generations of vacationers to stay at its rustic resorts, summer cottages, and children’s camps. Day-trippers can also find a wealth of things to see and do in this picturesque place, which offers a first step into Maine’s famed Lakes & Mountains region— and the promise of lifelong memories.

16 RENYS’ MAINE ADVENTURES

Covering almost 50 square miles, Sebago Lake offers endless possibilities for paddling, swimming, fishing, and more.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Babb’s Bridge, Windham

An irresistible photo op for visitors, this handsome covered bridge running 79 feet over the Presumpscot River is a testament to local spirit. After the original 19thcentury structure was decimated by arson in 1973, the community petitioned to have an exact replica built rather than have their timeless wooden icon replaced by a new steel bridge. windhamhistorical.org/ babbs-bridge

Bresca & the Honeybee, New Gloucester

At this winner of an ice cream stand on the shores of Sabbathday Lake, owner and acclaimed chef Krista Kern Desjarlais is committed to using milk and cream from nearby dairy farms—a dedication that pays off in the finest, freshest ice cream possible. After grabbing a cone, visitors can opt to use the boating, swimming, and picnicking facilities at nearby Outlet Beach. brescaandthehoneybee.com

Maine Wildlife Park, Gray

It’s hard to know whether to look first at the majestic moose browsing on alders or the playful black bears splashing around their water feature. At this Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife sanctuary for animals unable to live in the wild, you might spy as many as 30 native species in an afternoon. Pack a lunch to enjoy at a picnic table on the spacious grounds. maine.gov/ifw/ wildlife-park

Migis Lodge, South Casco

For those looking to stay in the Sebago Lakes region, this 108-yearold family resort is like stepping into an L.L. Bean catalog. The main lodge and cabins are scattered under pines edging Sebago Lake’s shore. Then there are the beaches and boats, cookouts and cocktails, and special programs for kids. migis.com

Naples Seaplane Adventures, Naples

Get a bird’s-eye view of sparkling waters and rolling mountains on a seaplane ride, a tourist tradition

MEET THE RENYS TEAM: WINDHAM

Name: B.J. Bayley

Title: Assistant manager

Store location: Windham

Employed at Renys since: 2008

What’s your favorite part about working in Windham?

“Windham is a very busy town with lots of shopping and dining. Almost everything you need can be found here.”

What is one thing you’d recommend to someone visiting Windham for the first time?

“Of course, you must come visit Renys, but I also recommend having some pizza at Portland Pie Company.”

What products at your store go great with Maine adventures? “Renys always has a great selection of seasonal merchandise. Everything you need for a beach day, or a barbecue! Also, there are lots of Maine souvenirs and Maine-made products.”

Where do you personally like to go for a Maine adventure?

“I really enjoy having breakfast at the Top of the Hill Grille in Casco, and I enjoy using the local indoor firing range as well.”

Renys, 795 Roosevelt Trail, Windham; 207-572-4514. Visit renys.com for summertime store hours.

Pineland Farms in New Gloucester is a popular option for families seeking fresh-air fun.

Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester

Few places embody the term “living history” as beautifully as the world’s last remaining active Shaker community. Two members of the Shaker sect still dwell in this c. 1783 village, which maintains more than a dozen original structures and holds the largest existing repository of Maine Shaker culture. A “friends” group helps out with farm chores; gives tours that provide a poignant feeling for Shaker life; and runs the store that sells Shaker seeds, wool, handmade soap and candles, and more. maineshakers.com

Sebago Lake State Park, Casco

It’s surprising that with a maximum depth of 316 feet and a surface area of more than 30,000 acres, Sebago Lake doesn’t have its own mythical sea monster. What it does have, though, are resident populations of landlocked salmon and lake trout, more than 100 miles of shoreline, and an excellent 1,400-acre state park with a 250-site campground. maine.gov/sebagolake

Sebago Trails Paddling Company, Raymond

Begin your on-the-water adventures at Sebago Trails Paddling Company, which rents kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes. It also offers guided expeditions on and around Sebago Lake, ranging from sunset outings to history-themed paddles to two-hour private group tours. sebagotrails.com

Songo River Queen II, Naples

here for nearly a century. Founded in 2014, Naples Seaplane Adventures will take you on an aerial tour that can range from a quick trip over Naples and Long Lake to a longer jaunt to the foothills of the White Mountains. naplesseaplaneadventures.com

Farms, New Gloucester Outdoor recreation meets farm

fun at Pineland, whose 5,000 acres encompass everything from trails for hiking and biking to candlepin bowling, disc golf, and bocce. Buy a pass to tour the Family Farmyard and working dairy farm, meeting friendly cows and goats along the way, and stop in at the market to pick up fresh produce or a bite to eat. pinelandfarms.org

Cruise beautiful Long Lake on a replica of a Mississippi River paddlewheeler with two spacious decks, a food court, and a cocktail bar. Highlights of the narrated tour include the former homes of author Stephen King and Governor Kenneth Curtis. No need to reserve ahead, as the mighty Queen can hold up to 350 passengers (plus, it’s wheelchair accessible). songoriverqueen2.com

Pineland

from left: Handmade baskets on display at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, a historic gem in New Gloucester; one of the resident critters at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

Soak up the lovely scenery of Long Lake aboard the Songo River Queen II.

CAMDEN ADVENTURE

Experience the splendor of Midcoast Maine by land or by sea.

he action in the Midcoast town of Camden revolves around a dreamy harbor, where pleasure boats and landmark tall ships tuck in for the night. On land, there are “should dos”: You can collect practically every experience that lures vacationers to Maine’s coast without venturing farther than neighboring Rockport and Rockland. See lighthouses, gather seashells, dine waterside, admire art, and drive or climb up Mount Battie for sweeping scenes of island-sprinkled Penobscot Bay. But simply taking it easy can be equally blissful, and you’ll feel the restorative powers of relaxation when you set out on the water, whether for a day sail or a multi-night voyage.

Discover a postcardperfect scene at Harbor Park in Camden.

MEET THE RENYS TEAM: CAMDEN

Name: Sabrina Ivory

Title: Regional supervisor

Store location: Camden

Employed at Renys since: 2002

What’s your favorite part about working in Camden? “I love the community. There are so many great people that live and work in this area. It is great to be able to interact with them when they come into our Camden location.”

What is one thing you’d recommend to someone visiting Camden for the first time?

“Going downtown and eating at one of our local restaurants, and then strolling around, taking in the sights and sounds of the area.”

What products at your store go great with Maine adventures?

“We offer so many products that can be useful for any Maine adventure. ... If you choose to go to the beach, we have everything you could possibly need: beach toys, sandals, bathing suits, beach towel, sunblock, life vests, lots of water toys, coolers, and food. However, if hiking is more your thing, we have a great selection of hiking boots, clothes to get you through the elements, backpacks, and outdoor gear—and plenty of water bottles and snacks.”

Where do you personally like to go for a Maine adventure?

“I enjoy exploring the many trails that Camden Hills State Park has to offer. I am partial to hiking up Mount Battie via the Carriage Road Trail as well as the Scenic Trail Cut-off and the Maiden Cliff Trail. The views are spectacular and refreshing ... and being out in nature helps reset me.”

Renys, 83 Elm St., Camden; 207-236-9005. Visit renys.com for summer store hours.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Camden Hills State Park, Camden

Think of this 5,710-acre preserve as a “baby Acadia,” with fewer crowds than the national park but the same mountain-meets-the-sea allure. A driving road makes the summit of Mount Battie accessible to those who don’t care to hike. At the top, you’ll find the words of one of Maine’s most famous poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and admire the same scene she describes so memorably in her poem ”Renascence.” maine.gov/camdenhills

Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockland

With roots that extend back to 1952, Maine’s boldest art museum makes the most of its Toshiko Mori–designed home, completed in 2016. Inside its vast gallery spaces, you’ll see temporary exhibitions of works by leading living artists: the kinds of imaginative pieces that encourage deep examination and spark conversations. cmcanow.org

Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland

There may be no more fitting setting in which to view the works of three generations of Wyeths— N.C., Andrew, and Jamie—than this handsome and airy Midcoast

museum. Since the 1920s, Maine has inspired their art, while they, in turn, have inspired art lovers around the world. That said, the rest of the Farnsworth’s approximately 15,000-piece collection is a compelling reason in its own right to linger here. farnsworthmuseum.org

Laite Memorial Beach Park, Camden

Camden’s harborside beach may be just a wee stretch of sand, but access is free, and the view of Penobscot Bay and Mount Battie from here is exquisite. Bring a picnic; wade in when the water’s warm; and hunt for pretty shells, even when the weather turns brisk. camdenparksandrec.com/beaches

Project Puffin Visitor Center, Rockland

Kids love crawling inside a replica puffin burrow and spying on these comical birds via live cameras trained on their nesting islands. Audubon runs this center to communicate a serious message, though: Puffins and other threatened seabirds need us to rethink our habits and support conservation. seabirdinstitute.audubon.org

River Ducks Ice Cream, Camden

When you see window-shoppers in downtown Camden carrying

Artists with deep connections to Maine are a special focus of the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland.

luscious-looking ice cream cones, you’ll want one, too. Head uphill from the waterfront to this adorable stand, painted bright pink and green, and choose from flavors with local appeal like Mount Battie Black Cherry and Camden Cappuccino Crunch. Facebook and Instagram

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, Rockland

Just under a mile long and built with nearly 700,000 tons of roughcut granite, the Rockland breakwater not only protects the city’s harbor but also provides walking access for people (and dogs) who want a closer look at the lighthouse that stands guard at its very end. The 1902 brick beacon, now automated, remains an active aid to navigation. rocklandharborlights.org/ directions

Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, Rockland

Captain Jim Sharp’s passion project is more than a place to take a deep dive into Maine’s maritime history. The Midcoast Sailing Center, based at the museum, will get you out on the water for a day sail or even a lesson, whether you’re a novice or just need a refresher. sailpowersteammuseum.org

Schooner Appledore, Camden

Don’t miss a golden opportunity to experience sunset on the water. Two-hour evening outings aboard the Maine-built Appledore II are timed for the best photo ops, and while you can help hoist sails and take a turn at the wheel, you can also take advantage of the full cash bar and just chillax. Day sails are a terrific option, too. appledore2.com

The View Rooftop Bar at 16 Bay View, Camden

The rooftop bar at the boutique hotel 16 Bay View is a perfect perch from which to observe the harbor’s comings and goings—with a signature cocktail or mocktail in your hand, of course. The menu of

Experience the exhilarating power of the Age of Sail on a vintage sailing vessel like the 1871 Lewis R. French, America’s oldest windjammer.

small plates, such as hand-rolled pork dumplings, is just enough to tide you over until dinner. 16bayview.com/the-view

Windjammers, Camden and Rockland

The magic of spending a few days aboard an authentic Maine windjammer is that you see the coast everyone hopes to see but few actually do. The fleet includes a wide range of sailing vessels, but all are independently owned and operated—and all offer an unforgettable maritime adventure. sailmainecoast.com; mainewindjammercruises.com

The vista from atop Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park.

ACADIA ADVENTURE

Create lasting memories in and around a premier national park.

From its rocky shores to the heights of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park serves up scene after scene of almost unimaginable beauty. There’s no doubt that New England’s first national park is the star attraction on this part of the Maine coast, the beginning of the wild and scenic Down East & Acadia region. Yet outside the park’s 49,000-plus acres, there are many other discoveries to be made, too. Start in Ellsworth—aka the Gateway to Acadia—which has a lovely Art Deco theater, a pretty harbor park, and the biggest shopping district in the county. From there, you can ramble around the charming Blue Hill Peninsula, or head right to Mount Desert Island, where the resort town of Bar Harbor awaits—and beyond that, the grandeur of Acadia itself.

The distinctive twin peaks known as the Bubbles rise above the waters of Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park.

Not a fan of roughing it? Give “glamping” a go at Under Canvas Acadia in Surry.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor

The history and culture of Maine’s Wabanaki, the People of the First Light, is the focus of the Smithsonianaffiliated Abbe Museum, whose location in downtown Bar Harbor is complemented by a second, smaller outpost within Acadia National Park. The museum’s collection of works by Wabanaki basket makers is particularly strong, and you can purchase finely woven baskets by some of today’s artisans in the gift shop. abbemuseum.org

Acadia National Park

Even though Acadia, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016, is one of America’s most popular national parks, you’ll still find an overarching sense of serene, unspoiled wilderness here. Walk, bicycle, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride on the park’s 45-mile carriage-trail system; grab a photo of the postcard-perfect 1858 Bass Harbor Head Light Statoin; and drink in the view from atop Cadillac Mountain. nps.gov/acad

Big Chicken Barn, Ellsworth

In this nearly 22,000-square-foot converted barn, about half the

retail space is devoted to varied antiques, and the treasures are plentiful. But what really sets this place apart is its other half, where the focus is squarely on books and paper collectibles. The selection of vintage magazines is a wonderland. bigchickenbarn.com

Castine Kayak Adventures, Castine

Since 1997, this outfitter on the Blue Hill Peninsula has been conducting award-winning day- and nighttime sea kayaking tours of some of the most beautiful waterways in all of Maine. Trips are led by Registered Maine Guides, with offerings tailored to different interests and skill levels. Check out the afterdark bioluminescence cruise. castinekayak.com

Downeast Scenic Railroad, Ellsworth

Get a whole new window onto the Maine landscape as you roll past marshes, woods, rivers, and quiet communities during a nearly two-hour train ride. Painstakingly restored passenger cars lend a back-in-time feel to the journey, which also affords excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities. downeastscenicrail.org

MEET THE RENYS TEAM: ELLSWORTH

Name: Josh Bickford

Title: Store manager

Store location: Ellsworth

Employed at Renys since: 2010

What’s your favorite part about working in Ellsworth? “I like the challenge of trying to fit ‘too much’ stuff into too little space. Even though we just expanded the store, somehow we seem to have filled it just fine. I also like how busy this store gets. We have customers from all over eastern Maine and Down East, in addition to the Acadia National Park traffic. Highly challenging, but I like it.”

What is one thing you’d recommend to someone visiting Ellsworth for the first time?

“In downtown Ellsworth, ‘86 This!’ has been my favorite place to eat for more than a dozen years running. I also love the city forest trails in various spots around the outskirts of Ellsworth. The Jordan Homestead Trail is my new favorite riverside trail to hit during lunch. It’s only a mile from the store.”

What products at your store go great with Maine adventures?

“I always keep my eye out for new hiking and camping gear and clothing. Same thing in our food department: There’s always something new to try. It’s always fun to see what comes in our freight delivery each day.”

Where do you personally like to go for a Maine adventure?

“I’m conveniently located between Acadia National Park and Baxter State Park, with Mount Katahdin. I try to get to both magical places at least a few times each year.”

Renys, Ellsworth Shopping Center, 175 High Street, Ellsworth; 207667-5166. Visit renys.com for summer store hours.

Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines, Bar Harbor

See Acadia’s fabled coastline from the water on a morning, afternoon, or sunset sail from Bar Harbor aboard a historic schooner. downeastwindjammer.com

George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History, Bar Harbor

Housed in the original headquarters of Acadia National Park, this little museum run by College of the Atlantic is packed with familyfriendly diversions, including a tidepool tank and dioramas showing taxidermized wildlife in their natural habitats. Admission is free (donations appreciated). coa.edu/ dorr-museum

The Grand, Ellsworth

An Art Deco theater built on Main Street in 1938, just a few short years after a fire leveled much of downtown Ellsworth, The Grand is a prime purveyor of movies, live music, and theater shows. grandonline.org

Under Canvas Acadia, Surry

Located less than 10 minutes south of Ellsworth, this “glamping“ destination opened in 2021 on 100 acres of waterfront property with 1,200-plus feet of coastline. Each of the 63 safari-style tents boasts chic furniture, a wood-burning stove, and organic toiletries, plus daily housekeeping. Book one of the “Stargazer” tents and catch the twinkling display via viewing windows above your king-size bed. undercanvas.com

Woodlawn, Ellsworth

Indian Point–Blagden Preserve, Bar Harbor

A less-crowded alternative to Acadia, this 110-acre Nature Conservancy property offers easy hiking trails as well as gorgeous views of Frenchman Bay. You’ll discover great bird-watching opportunities, and seals often can be seen basking on the ledges offshore. nature.org

A beautifully preserved 1827 mansion situated on 180 acres offers a glimpse into Ellsworth history: Decked out with period furniture, art, and décor from the family and the region, the house looks much the same as it might have when three generations of the Black family lived here. The property’s trails are open from dawn to dusk daily. Time your visit right, and you may even get a chance to play croquet on the lawn. woodlawnellsworth.org

Get a new perspective on the Maine coast with Castine Kayak Adventures.

Exhibits and events at the Abbe Museum frequently spotlight modern indigenous artists such as Geo Soctomah Neptune of the Passamaquoddy Nation, whose Ceremony of the Singing Stars, 2017, is shown here.